Hayden

Wesneski

The Astros have long had interest in the 27-year-old right-hander and now they’ll get the opportunity to add him to their starting rotation. Wesneski pitched in a hybrid role for the Cubs during the 2024 season, registering a 3.86 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and a 67/21 K/BB ratio across 67 2/3 innings in 28 appearances (seven starts). His fantasy value will obviously get a major boost if he secures a spot in the Astros’ Opening Day rotation.

In the deal, the Cubs will send the Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes, right-handed pitcher Hayden Wesneski and 2014 first-round pick Cam Smith. Tucker is a massive upgrade to the Chicago lineup, and is coming off a season where he was able to hit 20 homers and register a .993 OPS despite missing half the year with a shin fracture. It’s worth noting that he’s hitting free agency in 2025, but his offensive upside competes with anyone in baseball.

It was reported earlier Friday that trade talks were gaining momentum by MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, and this is just another step forward. Rosenthal notes that the deal will feature Isaac Paredes, and that Hayden Wesneski and prospect Cam Smith are also in play. The Cubs didn’t seem like a team likely to acquire an outfielder to start the offseason, but the appeal of a player like Tucker — even if it’s only for one season — is apparently too tempting. Hard to blame them.

Wesneski has been out since July with a forearm strain. He’s set to be a multi-inning option out of the bullpen for the rest of the season. The 26-year-old right-hander has a 3.94 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 58 strikeouts in 61 2/3 innings over 25 appearances (seven starts) this year.

Wesneski is currently with the Cubs, but not expected to be activated Wednesday. The right-hander threw two innings in a rehab appearance for Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, and once back, he’ll likely be a multi-inning option for the Chicago bullpen for the rest of 2024.

It’s unclear if Wesneski sustained the injury during his final start on Sunday before the All-Star break, or if it occurred while throwing during his time off, but either way he’s going to miss at least a couple of weeks. Hunter Bigge was recalled from Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move to take his place on the active roster on Saturday.

Weskneski was torched for nine runs in the first inning. Incredibly, only three of those runs would go down as earned runs after Wesneski himself committed two errors. The Cubs seemed intent on keeping the 26-year-old right-hander in the game to eat some innings. He gave up another run in the second and fourth before his day was done. Wesneski will take a 4.03 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and a 57/21 K/BB ratio across 60 1/3 innings into the All-Star break.

Wesneski retired 18 in a row after a one-out single in the first. He left with two on in the seventh after an error and a walk, but Porter Hodge got out of the jam from there. It’s Wesneski’s first win in six starts this year. He did have two wins as a reliever, though those came in his first two appearances back in April; he had a 4.74 ERA in 43 2/3 innings over 20 appearances while losing his last five decisions.

Things couldn’t have gone much worse for Wesneski, who allowed a season-high five runs on Tuesday against the Phillies. Shortstop Trea Turner was responsible for the majority of that damage, as he took Wesneski deep twice while driving in three runs. Wesneski has struck out seven batters in back-to-back games and will carry a 4.14 ERA into his next start, which is set for Sunday against the Angels.

All three of the runs Wesneski allowed came on a pair of homers in the second inning. With a runner on, Michael Conforto took him deep for a two-run shot to put the Giants on the board. David Villar followed with a solo shot to go back-to-back. Wesneski retired all six batters in the third and fourth innings before his day was done. He struck out seven. The 26-year-old right-hander owns a 3.60 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and a 44/16 K/BB ratio across 45 innings. He’ll likely revert to the bullpen for long relief duties.